Why Jethro Came After Amalek Fell at Rephidim

What is written above on this matter? The downfall of Amalek. And afterward, "And Jethro heard" (Exodus 18:1). This is what Scripture says: "Strike the scoffer, and the simple one will become clever" (Proverbs 19:25). "Strike the scoffer"—this is Amalek; "and the simple one will become clever"—this is Jethro. When Amalek came to fight against Israel, what is written? "And Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim" (Exodus 17:8). What is the meaning of "at Rephidim"? Because they let their hands grow slack from the commandments. And how did their hands grow slack? It is written, "And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah" (Exodus 17:7). He began to cry out to them: How long will you test Me? How long will you contend with Me? And Moses too cried out, "Why do you contend with me, and why do you test the LORD?" (Exodus 17:2). And how were they testing? Rabbi Judah and Rabbi Nehemiah. Rabbi Judah says: Thus they murmured and said, "If He supplies us with food [like a king who enters a province, and they praise him and honor him, and he supplies them with food], we will serve Him; and if not, we will not serve Him." Rabbi Nehemiah says: Thus Israel said, "If He does for us what we need [like a king who enters a province, and they praise him and honor him, and he does for them all that they need], we will serve Him; and if not, we will not serve Him." And our Rabbis said: Thus they were musing, and they said, "Behold, we are musing in our heart; if He knows what we are musing, we will serve Him; and if not, we will not serve Him," as it is said, "[Is the LORD in our midst?]" (Exodus 17:7). Rabbi Berekhiah said: They were speaking in their heart, and the Holy One, blessed be He, granted them their request, as it is said, "And they tested God in their heart [by asking food for their craving]" (Psalms 78:18). What is written? "And they ate and were exceedingly sated" (Psalms 78:29). The Holy One, blessed be He, said: Thus you mused in your heart; by your lives, I make known to you—behold, Amalek is before you, as it is said, "And Amalek came" (Exodus 17:8).